Performance

We enjoy giving handbell performances. These can take many forms including:

Weddings and receptions
Charity fund raising concerts
Churches
WIs and Townswomens' Guilds
Stately Homes
Hotels
Residential homes

We are happy to give concert performances or lecture recitals during which we can explain:
- Handbells and their history as a musical instrument
- How handbells are rung
- Types of music rung
- How we care for the bells
- Traditional English ringing styles
- Advanced techniques
- Different types of handbells


We can also, if wanted, hand out bells to our audience and use simple "ring and sing" pieces to give people the chance to experience ringing themselves even if they do not read music at all.

Wallingford Ringers have four performing teams with different kinds of performance:


1 Main team (up to 14 players)

This team comprises all member of the group. We play on up to 4 1/2 octaves of bells using tables and pads (we will supply these). We need a large playing space of about 20 feet by 12 feet and adequate lighting. We have played at Stately Homes, WIs, residential homes and on a sound stage.

2 Mobile team

For events out of doors or in small locations we also have a team who play without tables (using just music stands) and 1 1/2 octaves of bells. Very many songs and pieces have been published for this smaller group. The number of players would be 4-9. We have performed at hotels, garden fetes, National Trust properties and at a folk festivel.

3 Small ensembles

We also have small ensembles of 2-5 ringers. We play on tables with about three octaves of bells. We play in a straight line and need about 16 feet by 6 feet in which to play. Small ensemble ringing is fascinating to watch and hear as the players are all using many bells playing together in a virtuosic way. We have performed at Cathedrals, Theatres, Schools and Music Festivals.

4 Soloist

Gay plays solos with piano accompaiment. Her repertoire includes popular classics (eg Meditation from Thais, Pavane by Faure), pops (eg Bye, bye blackbird, Moon River) and sacred pieces. Solo ringing is enchanting both to watch and hear and causes great interest among those who have seen it.

All our groups play for a very reasonable fee and are happy to play in Oxfordshire, and sometimes further away. All teams have been awarded distinction in local music festivals.

See also our flexible handbell and recorder duo - Aeolian Chimes.